This morning I decided to start a new feature on my blog. Every weekday, I’ll post the top five stories from the previous day. Then, in the afternoon before I head home, I’ll try to update the post with the top stories from that day so far.

I’ll also include links to the items that have received the most comments in the past 24 hours. Often times the two lists only share an item or two, which surprises a lot of people.

It’s an experiment, and feedback is always welcome. These statistics are something I look at every morning, and they help me understand what stories and discussions pique the interest of our online community. I hope it helps you do the same. So here we go:

Top LJWorld.com stories from Monday, May 9

1. Lawrence native helps subdue unruly airline passenger
2. KU police investigate battery early Sunday morning at McCollum Hall
3. Town Talk: A look into the world of city fees; event would make Mass. Street parking free for a day; Bob Billings Parkway set for major construction
4. Remains of Neosho Rapids boy, 11, killed in December 2010 boating accident found near John Redmond Reservoir
5. First Bell: Tonight, school board members to consider athletics upgrades for LHS, learn about a ‘District Improvement Plan,’ and meet in executive session on personnel matters

Most commented items

1. Natural Grocers to open in Lawrence on 23rd Street and Naismith Drive
2. On the Street: How often do you buy organic groceries?
3. Shop Talk Blog: Home Depot floored me with their lack of knowledge
4. Lawrence native helps subdue unruly airline passenger
5. Firebirds dominate LHS in baseball

4:40 p.m. update

As promised, here are the most-viewed stories on LJWorld.com so far today:

1. Natural Grocers to open in Lawrence on 23rd Street and Naismith Drive
2. Two people die Tuesday morning in two-vehicle accident on northwest side of Perry Lake
3. Mark Mangino breaks silence in newspaper interview
4. Town Talk: Have a downtown drink; arts incubator idea still alive; West Lawrence antennas to get approval; oil company increases Lawrence presence; Hobbs Taylor gets new tenant
5. Former associate athletics director Ben Kirtland seeks 57 months in prison